Established in 1997 to galvanize volunteerism on a regular basis, A Time to Help stages monthly projects to aid the needy and promote unity in metro Detroit.
Since then, more than 200 monthly projects have been completed by thousands of volunteers, ranging from building houses, delivering meals, beautifying city streets, running adoption fairs, repairing homeless shelters, packing food, and hosting an annual Christmas party to a shelter for battered women.
Mitch Albom and WJR co-host Ken Brown lead each monthly project, usually held on Saturdays between 9AM – noon. Volunteers can sign up for one, two or all, and there are no requirements, except that, for most events, volunteers should be at least 18 years of age. Older teenagers can come if accompanied by at least one adult supervisor for every four of them.
Do you have a suggestion for a project, or have a question about volunteering? Contact us at atimetohelp.detroit@gmail.com.
Volunteer and Make it a Holiday Party to Remember
We’ve got TWO projects in December, and please note the new event dates and location
A Time to Help is in need of volunteers to host our annual holiday party for shelter residents and their children at The Salvation Army Harbor Light in Detroit, as well as volunteers to help decorate the day before.
With your help, the ATTH party gives needy Detroiters a heartwarming and memory-making experience. The morning will be filled with fun activities for the children, including face painting, crafts, dancing, a balloon twister, magic shows – and much more. The popular “relaxation zone’’ for mothers returns (massages, manicures), and Shield’s Pizza is once again sponsoring lunch for the families and our volunteers. Of course, to top off the morning, Santa Claus will make a surprise visit and distribute gift bags filled with toys and goodies to the children.
Where: The Salvation Army Detroit Harbor Light, 3737 Lawton, Detroit, 48209 | Map & Directions
**We have moved to a different building on the campus. When you enter from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, you’ll see the building on the left. Signs will direct you. Plenty of parking is available.
These are registration-only events; all volunteers are required to sign up here through CERVIS. Sign up for one or both while spots are available, but please note a separate registration is required for each event.
Questions: atimetohelp.detroit@gmail.com
Project #1: Decorating for the Party
The day before the SAY Detroit/Salvation Army Christmas Party, A Time to Help volunteers will be on a decorating spree! We’ll be making sure the party rooms are merry and bright before Saturday’s fun begins for shelter residents and their children. Please join us!
Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Volunteers needed: 15
Arrival
Once in the parking lot, signage will direct you to the entrance for the project. . . Only confirmed registrants will be allowed into the facility
In Case You Didn’t Know
There is a global helium shortage, affecting many retailers in the state, and sending prices sky-rocketing. So with the help of a special ATTH volunteer who’s an event planner, we’ll be creating special air-filled balloon decorations and displays.
Can I Bring Anything?
Yes! Volunteers are welcome to bring gifts — clothing and/or toiletries — to donate to the shelter for moms and their children for the holidays. Please scroll down to Project #2’s “What to Bring” for more details — do please follow the specifications so the gifts can be put to good use.
Sign up now at : atimetohelp.org
Project #2: SAY Detroit/Salvation Army Christmas Party
Please join SAY Detroit founder Mitch Albom for this annual holiday tradition of giving.
Date: Saturday, December 14
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Volunteers needed: 50
Arrival
Volunteers will first drop off their donated items (more on that in a minute) before picking up your name tag and shirt at the registration desk, which is where you’ll sign up for your assignment (first come, first served). The party will start shortly after 9 am for the residents of Harbor Light; guests from The Salvation Army’s other locations will begin arriving at 9:30 am.
What to Bring
Volunteers are asked to donate one or two new and unwrapped clothing items for women and children, specifically: pajamas, slacks or sweatpants and shirts for the moms (sizes M-3XL) and casual clothing or pajamas for children, sizes: infant to age 15. Toiletries, such as shampoo, soap and body wash, are also welcome but must not contain alcohol and be pump spray (no aerosol).
This year, because of the new location, the mothers will be receiving their new gift clothing and other items immediately after the party (after they return to the women’s shelter building), distributed Salvation Army staff. However, and this is important: a group of ATTH volunteers will be needed to sort and package the items next door during the party at the Thompson Center. That sign up list will be at the registration table as well.
Gifts must be new and unwrapped.
SAY Detroit is reaching out to businesses, individuals and community groups to serve as sponsors of the age-group toys, which will be stuffed into gift bags the day before (Dec. 13) during the ATTH decorating party.
Privacy Notice
We request that all volunteers refrain from taking photos at the party to protect the privacy of the residents and their children.
Sign up now at atimetohelp.org
NEWS
Volunteers Deliver an Impressive Repeat Performance At Motown Soup
Assisted by Motown Soup’s volunteer leaders, nearly 40 ATTH volunteers packaged 1,704 packages of soup and other dry goods in just under three hours. It was the second time this year that ATTH helped restock the storage room for the nonprofit.
Grand Day At SAY Play For A Time to Help Volunteers
Volunteers from A Time to Help, SAY Detroit Muscle Crew, and Pastor Kevin Ramsby’s group from Arise Church joined together to spruce up SAY Play before its opening next week.
SAY Clinic Health Fair Inspires Community Unity
There was something for everyone at the 2019 SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic’s community health fair, including plenty of giving by A Time to Help volunteers.
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Volunteers weeded, cleaned garden beds, planted and do other light chores at Buckets of Rain, which provides fresh produce for the homeless and hungry and SAY Clinic’s patients.
Clean-Up At Cass Community Refreshes, Lifts Spirits
DETROIT — It was spring cleaning, A Time to Help style. For nearly three hours Saturday, more than two dozen A Time to Help volunteers worked to help transform Cass Community Social Services’ cluttered warehouse into a more-organized space. The end result was a site...